President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a major upward review of salaries for members of the Armed Forces, raising military pay by between 30 and 80 per cent in a move that will increase the government’s annual wage bill for military personnel from ₦660 billion to ₦924 billion.
The revised salary structure, which becomes effective on September 1, 2026, will benefit an estimated 250,000 officers and soldiers. Junior ranks will receive the largest increases, with personnel from private to staff sergeant earning 80 per cent more. Officers from warrant officer to colonel will receive a 50 per cent adjustment, while brigadier-generals through to full generals will see their salaries rise by 30 per cent.
Announcing the decision, the Presidency described the review as recognition of the sacrifices made by troops engaged in operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats. It also reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to improving military welfare and strengthening the Armed Forces with modern equipment and advanced technology.
The decision has been welcomed by retired military leaders, lawmakers and serving personnel, many of whom described it as a significant morale booster. However, they stressed that the success of the initiative will depend on prompt implementation and continued investment in operational capacity.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the new structure was deliberately designed to favour lower-ranking personnel by granting them the highest percentage increases.
According to him, the revised package reflects President Tinubu’s belief that improving troop welfare is essential to building a more effective military.
The President said members of the Armed Forces deserve greater support because of the risks they take in protecting Nigerians and defending the country’s territorial integrity.
He maintained that national development cannot be achieved without security and reiterated his administration’s determination to mobilise every available military and law enforcement resource to confront criminal groups across the country.
Tinubu also urged soldiers to view the salary adjustment as a demonstration of the government’s appreciation for their service and encouraged them to remain steadfast in the fight against insecurity.
The review follows the recent creation of four additional Nigerian Army divisions, part of broader efforts aimed at strengthening military operations nationwide.
Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), described the salary increase as a major investment in the welfare of military personnel.
He said the package would ease financial pressures on troops deployed in difficult operational environments, including the North-East and other regions affected by insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and oil theft.
According to him, the improved remuneration should inspire greater professionalism, discipline and dedication among officers and soldiers while reinforcing the government’s commitment to modernising the Armed Forces through improved equipment and technology.
Former military leaders applauded the salary review but insisted that better welfare alone cannot address all of the Armed Forces’ challenges.
Retired Brigadier-General Sani Usman said soldiers deserve among the highest salaries in the public service because of the extreme risks associated with military operations.
He described the increase as timely, noting that no financial reward could truly compensate personnel for the sacrifices they make while defending the country.
Retired Commodore Omatseye Nesiama also welcomed the development, describing it as long overdue. He, however, argued that salary disparities among senior officers still require attention and suggested similar improvements should be extended to other security agencies.
For retired Brigadier-General Bashir Adewinbi, the increase is expected to improve morale, strengthen operational commitment and encourage more young Nigerians to consider military careers.
He added that the government must also provide better accommodation, quality uniforms, advanced weapons and adequate logistics to maximise the impact of the salary adjustment.
Retired Brigadier-General George Emdin urged caution, saying previous welfare initiatives had often suffered from poor implementation. He insisted that the real test would come when personnel begin receiving the revised salaries.
Retired Rear Admiral Othiniel Filafa similarly praised the move, arguing that improved pay, political commitment and effective deployment of military assets all contribute to stronger operational performance.
Retired Colonel Ahmed Usman, Special Adviser on Security to the Sokoto State Governor, described the decision as a strategic investment in national stability. He said enhanced welfare would improve morale, intelligence gathering and operational effectiveness but urged the government to complement the package with improved healthcare, housing, insurance and continuous professional training.
He also appealed to Nigerians to support security agencies by providing timely intelligence, describing security as a collective responsibility.
Although many serving military personnel expressed appreciation for the salary increase, several said they would wait until the new payments are reflected in their salaries before celebrating.
One officer noted that better welfare would improve recruitment and help retain experienced personnel but stressed that implementation remained critical.
Another senior officer calculated that his monthly salary would increase from ₦362,405.67 to ₦543,608.51 under the new structure, adding that while the adjustment was welcome, military pay still lagged behind earnings in many civilian professions.
Others echoed similar views, describing the announcement as encouraging but insisting that actual payment would determine whether the government’s promises had been fulfilled.
Some also questioned whether the increase would fully offset the impact of inflation and the country’s rising cost of living.
The salary review comes only weeks after retired military personnel demanded that the government raise the earnings of the lowest-ranking soldiers to at least ₦250,000 monthly.
Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, praised President Tinubu for approving what he described as a significant welfare package for members of the Armed Forces.
Yar’Adua said the increase demonstrated the administration’s commitment to improving troop welfare and strengthening military operations. He added that the Senate would continue collaborating with the executive to ensure full implementation while supporting further investments in equipment and working conditions.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Ahmad Lawan, also commended the President, describing the decision as both compassionate and strategic.
He said the structure appropriately prioritised junior personnel who carry much of the burden during frontline operations and urged the Armed Forces to reciprocate through greater professionalism, stronger cooperation and improved operational efficiency.
Lawan further emphasised that welfare improvements should go hand in hand with enhanced coordination and intelligence sharing among Nigeria’s security agencies to strengthen the fight against insecurity.
